"Ladies and Gentlemen: The Beatles!!!"

In New York City, even the Beatles are alive and on stage again! At least on Broadway. Our annual "Pre Christmas" event turned to be kind of nostalgic this year. 

We started the day with a Beatles show ( so much fun!!!) and continued with a visit at the Library to see the original Winnie The Pooh and his best friend Piglet (and all the others). 

And we paid respect to the Christmas Tree at the Rockefeller Center, of course ( and to the Lego shop next by, ha,ha). The Highlight of the Christmas season. 

What could be better than New York City at Christmas time?! In moments like this I still cannot believe that I live here...

Our German - American 1st Advent

The German part -  it's us and the German Christmas Market in our town. The American part -  it's our friends visiting us and the traditional Christmas tree hunt at a local farm. In one word: we had a very merry weekend! 

It all started with a dinner at The Black Forest Inn on Friday, where my husband enjoyed (finally) his German Bratwurst and Bier. 

We continued the German event at the Christmas Market, buying tons of "Lebkuchen" and drinking "Gluwein"with our friends. 

But the highlight of the seasons came on Sunday. We all went to hunt for the best Christmas tree... and found one! ( The real challenge was, as usual, to put it in the stand...ha,ha). 

The reward came afterwards in form of a real German afternoon coffee time with the lightning of one candle on our Christmas wreath. 

Even Jakob showed real Christmas spirit. He was selling Christmas wreathes with his Scout troop and played saxophone at the Christmas school concert ( personally, my absolute highlight!!).

Maybe it's not New York but the Christmas tree in our town could almost be mistaken for that one at the Rockefeller Center...

Thanksgiving 2012

We gave thanks, once again... My list is long, but at the end it comes down to one point: I'm thankful for all the people I love.  

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite (gladly adapted) American holidays. Not just because it makes me realize, once again, there is a lot I need to be thankful for. It also gives us an excuse to gather together with our friends and just enjoy each other and all the good food.

Traditions

Inside: Thanksgiving decoration. Outside: the Christmas lights. That's how it looks in and outside of our house right now! 

We're getting ready for our Thanksgiving celebration on Thursday, but also preparing for the start of the holiday season the day after. The Black Friday. Off to the shopping malls with Christmas music..! What may the indians and the pilgrims think about this tradition?!

Good choice, America!

We've got power back just on time to watch Obama winning the presidential election. What a timing! I wouldn't like to miss it! 

Olaf and I also enjoyed our  traditional "victory drink" at Midnight - the same procedure as 4 years ago. 

I cannot believe it's already "our" second presidential election here... though still just from the side line.

The true American spirit

I've got this pin button from a women at our local store.

And, walking through the neighborhood today I saw people putting Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations at their houses, even we still don't have power... That's the true American spirit!

Sandy...

That's what Sandy did to our neighborhood...

We still don't have power. Our new generator could work better, if there would be enough gasoline... Olaf waited for 2,5 hours at the gas station in the morning. School are still closed.

Still, I think, for us there is a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!